bat1 zi6 loeng6 lik6不自量力

Jyutpingbat1 zi6 loeng6 lik6

Yalebāt jih leuhng lihk

語句

Definition

To overestimate one's own abilities.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Carries a critical and often mocking tone, implying that the person is acting foolishly by ignoring their own limitations. It is frequently used to shut down someone who is attempting a task far beyond their current skill level or resources. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese sentences without sounding overly formal or stiff.

Examples

keoi5佢soeng2想jat1一go3個jan4人gaau2搞dim6掂sing4成go3個hong6項muk6目，zan1真hai6係bat1不zi6自loeng6量lik6力。

He wants to handle the whole project alone; he really overestimates his own ability.

nei5你lin4連gei1基bun2本gung1功dou1都mei6未lin6練hou2好zau6就soeng2想tiu1挑zin3戰daai6大si1師，m4唔hai6係bat1不zi6自loeng6量lik6力hai6係me1咩？

You haven't even mastered the basics yet you want to challenge a master; if that's not overestimating yourself, what is?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係bat1不zi6自loeng6量lik6力

really overestimating one's own ability

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple statement of fact, but it is almost always used as a harsh criticism or a sarcastic remark. Avoid using it to describe yourself or someone you are trying to be polite to, as it is inherently insulting.